A pearl near the oyster beds

THE chance to bed down in some style alongside Galway's famous oyster beds, and just in time for the September Oyster Festival in nearby Clarinbridge, has come up with the sale of Claddagh Cottage.

A ramble along the shoreline from this waterside home - a bit of a whopper with over 3,000 sq ft of space - will bring you to Moran's on the Weir, and, at the risk of choking on the puns, Brandy Pier with boat moorings a few hundred yards away makes the bay your oyster.

Location is at Killeenaran, four miles from Kinvara and 12 miles from Galway city, with views straight across the famous bay to the Burren in Co Clare. The bay produces tonnes of fresh oyster each year, and over 1,000 visitors come to the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival (September 5, on) to wash down the slippery molluscs with lashings of fresh porter.

On the market with Shelagh McGann of Keane Mahony Smith's Galway offices, Claddagh Cottage is in fact three properties in one, extended out of an old traditional cottage, which has kept its original features, complete with half door and stone flagged gardens bursting with flowers.

It has been just a week or so on the market, with strong viewings already and the overly-modestly titled cottage place has B&B potential as it has scope for up to eight bedrooms. Price guide is 650,000, and it has been in the same ownership for over 25 years.

"The proud owners of this wonderful home have gone to great lengths to maintain its original features and old world charm," says Ms McGann, who notes that the property, on over half an acre of ground, is separated from the tidal bay by just a narrow stone-walled public road.

It has four reception rooms, seven/eight bedrooms, two utilities, garage and shed, and has oil heating, and is a quality property in good decorative order, says the selling agent.

The living room, with original open fireplace, has three bedrooms off, all with views across the bay, behind is separate dining room, another large bedroom and kitchen with oil fired Aga cooker, and these rooms also capture some of the views. There's an annexe, ideal as a granny flat, guests or for self-catering use with internal and separate access also, and it has a large living room, kitchen facilities, a bedroom and shower room with Liscannor stone paving.

In addition, there's further accommodation with living/kitchen, utility, three bedrooms and a shower room.

"Every inch has been restored and maintained to its original detail. Claddagh Cottage with its tremendous setting by the oyster beds and views is a wonderful home on a magical site," comments Ms McGann.